Systems and methods for cache-based content delivery

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for cache-based management of non-linear content delivery are generally described. In some embodiments, content to be presented using consumer devices may be cached at a cache device of the consumer device. A cache policy server may transmit cache messages instruction the consumer devices which content to cache, which cache device to store the content, where to locate the content, and how much of the content to cache. When it is time to play the content at the consumer device, the content may be played back from the cache.

1 . A method comprising:
 sending a request for information associated with content to be addressed to a computing device over a time period;   receiving, based on the request, a message indicating one or more portions of addressable content to be cached over the time period;   generating, based on the received message and for the computing device, one or more instructions indicating to cache, during the time period, the one or more portions of addressable content; and   sending, to the computing device, the one or more instructions to cause the computing device to:
 obtain the one or more portions of addressable content; and 
 cache, during the time period, the one or more portions of addressable content in a cache device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the addressable content comprises advertising content. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device comprises at least one of: a consumer premises equipment, a switch, a router, a television, a digital video recorder, a mobile computing device, a content presentation device, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, or a set top box. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request for information is sent to a server comprising an addressable content server and wherein the message is received from the server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is sent based on at least one of: a schedule, a time of day, an indication of availability of new content, or an expiration of the time period. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more portions of addressable content are selected based on at least one of:
 demographic information associated with one or more users of the computing device,   a particular service provider associated with the computing device, or   resources or hardware associated with the computing device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more portions of addressable content are obtained from a content delivery network (CDN). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cache device is operably coupled to the computing device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sent instructions further cause the computing device to:
 playback the one or more portions of addressable content from the cache device, and   clear the cache based on the time period expiring.   
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause:
 sending a request for information associated with content to be addressed to a computing device over a time period;   receiving, based on the request, a message indicating one or more portions of addressable content to be cached over the time period;   generating, based on the received message and for the computing device, one or more instructions indicating to cache, during the time period, the one or more portions of addressable content; and   sending, to the computing device, the one or more instructions to cause the computing device to:
 obtain the one or more portions of addressable content; and 
 cache, during the time period, the one or more portions of addressable content in a cache device. 
   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the addressable content comprises advertising content. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the request is sent based on at least one of: a schedule, a time of day, an indication of availability of new content, or an expiration of a time period. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the request for information is sent to a server comprising an addressable content server and wherein the message is received from the server. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more portions of addressable content are selected based on at least one of:
 demographic information associated with one or more users of the computing device,   a particular service provider associated with the computing device, or   resources or hardware associated with the computing device.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more portions of addressable content are obtained from a content delivery network (CDN). 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the cache device is operably coupled to the computing device. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the sent instructions further cause the computing device to:
 playback the one or more portions of addressable content from the cache device, and   clear the cache based on the time period expiring.   
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a first computing device configured to:
 send a request for information associated with content to be addressed to a second computing device over a time period; 
 receive, based on the request, a message indicating one or more portions of addressable content to be cached over the time period; 
 generate, based on the received message and for the second computing device, one or more instructions indicating to cache, during the time period, the one or more portions of addressable content; and 
 send, to the computing device, the one or more instructions to cause the second computing device to:
 obtain the one or more portions of addressable content; and 
 cache, during the time period, the one or more portions of addressable content in a cache device; and 
 
   the second computing device configured to receive instructions.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the addressable content comprises advertising content. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the second computing device comprises at least one of: a consumer premises equipment, a switch, a router, a television, a digital video recorder, a mobile computing device, a content presentation device, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, or a set top box.